Cats and Viveridae - species that are vulnerable hosts and spreaders of covid-19

[Jana]

Last few weeks I am following news about the new virus and I pay attention to any proved case of human-animal cases of infections. So far:

dogs - 2x passive victim of oportunistic infection, no symptoms, considered dead-end (probably dont spread the virus)

domestic cats - several cases, show symptoms, most probably possible source of infection to other cats and humans!

viverridae - so far no case found, but considering their ACE receptors are very similar to cats and humans, and past example of SARS, we must expect them to be carriers of this new desease and active spreaders

large cats - ditto viverridae

Conclusion - all cats, civetts and related species (plus apes) in zoos must be protected from all posible direct or close contact. They are vulnerable (can get ill) and at the same time they are possible source of infection to keepers and public!

 

[Chlidonias]

See also https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.30.015347v1.full.pdf

Abstract:
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes the infectious disease COVID-19, which was first reported in Wuhan, China in December, 2019. Despite the tremendous efforts to control the disease, COVID-19 has now spread to over 100 countries and caused a global pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is thought to have originated in bats; however, the intermediate animal sources of the virus are completely unknown. Here, we investigated the susceptibility of ferrets and animals in close contact with humans to SARS-CoV-2. We found that SARS-CoV-2 replicates poorly in dogs, pigs, chickens, and ducks, but efficiently in ferrets and cats. We found that the virus transmits in cats via respiratory droplets. Our study provides important insights into the animal reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2 and animal management for COVID-19 control.

 

[Jana]

Another possible (but not proven/suspected) target group of species - hyenas and mongooses. I havent seen anything about them yet.

 

[ThylacineAlive]

Well, we now know big cats can certainly get it: A Tiger at Bronx Zoo Tests Positive for COVID-19; The Tiger and the Zoo’s Other Cats Are Doing Well at This Time > Newsroom

~Thylo

 

[AmbikaFan]

First domestic dog tests positive for COVID-19:

Dog is apparently first in U.S. to test positive for the coronavirus

 

[15399]

I saw one artivle about minks showing symptoms of the virus.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Has anyone read anything regarding non-ape primates such as monkeys and lemurs and their vulnerability to COVID-19 ?

Personally, I haven't seen anything on the subject other than news about the experimental tests with rhesus macaques on immunity to the virus but I would be very interested in finding out whether anyone has heard more.